July 9, 2011 In our Moms & Stress series, Lea Curtes-Swenson talks with leading experts on stress management and life balance. She brings you tips, tricks, and advice for understanding your stress and getting it under control – so you can enjoy your time with your kids and teach them to live stress-free too. Now…
July 31, 2011 Let this post be a cheering section for you moms who need to hit the gym and build muscle as part of your fitness plan! I believe in the benefits of weight training so strongly, that I’d ditch a run, hike, swim, bike or climb for a strength training workout. Feeling strong,…
August 2, 2011 There are many things that feed your body and make you feel healthy and vibrant, in addition to food. Healthy relationships, a fulfilling career, exercise, and even air can nourish your body. There are plenty of reasons why you should include deep breathing into your everyday routine. According to the Harvard Health…
September 1, 2011 The concept of wellness is to be self centered. I realize that sounds like such a bad thing. However, wellness is about being selfish in all the right ways in order to obtain and remain fit, healthy, happy and centered. “Only by filling our cups first, can we fill the cups of…
August 17, 2011 As mothers we look ahead to back to school with mixed emotions. On one hand, we’ll miss the lazy mornings and late nights, but on the other hand we like the return of a regular routine. Unfortunately, one thing our regular routine brings that we’d rather do without is that good ole…
August 22, 2011 Creating after school structure and stability is vital to a peaceful afternoon! Picture this: It’s 3:30PM, you’ve already worked your workday, and now it’s time to go pick up the kids after school. Mine are usually waiting outside running around outside their classroom door like out of control/been cooped up all…
September 2, 2011 The back to school season is full of excitement, new school supplies, new clothes, meeting new friends and teachers. It’s also a time of busier schedules and after school activities. Classrooms filled with kids, an abundance of shared surfaces and less fresh air offer the right environment for sharing germs. Take time…
August 23, 2011 You know you’ve seen this title before. Transform Your Body in Six Weeks. It graces the covers of women’s magazines in every grocery store across America. Just follow X, Y, and Z steps. But, how many of you have ever gone to the gym with an article ripped out and performed all the exercises…
August 27, 2011 I know lots of moms who always want to exercise, but, can’t always make the commitment to get to the gym. There are so many ways to accomplish this one goal, that I’d like to share some ideas with you. I’ve previously written about getting your kids outside for 15 minutes of activity before…
September 27, 2011 First things first, what is an herbal remedy? An herbal remedy is the use of plants or plant extracts to treat common ailments of illness. Here is a brief overview of some common ailments and some herbal remedies that can be used to treat them and keep you and your family healthy….
September 23, 2011 Running seems to be jumping up in the list for people’s choice of fitness and I can understand why. It is fun. Yes, I said fun. And it works for any shape, size, or age. If you haven’t started running, here are some great tips to get your feet moving and even…
January 4, 2012 Our technology-filled, multi-tasking lives can become very stressful. By the end of the day we are overwrought and sleepless. The less sleep we get, the higher our stress levels climb. Here are a few tips to help break the vicious cycle and sleep better with a sound, restful night. Strike a pose….
September 30, 2011 Pilates is a great form of exercise but you don’t need to visit a studio to benefit from many of the principles taught in a formal class. Pilates is taught to equip you with practical things you can do every day to keep healthy and fit, and help manage stress. Here are…
September 22, 2011 It is a very common misconception that for women to be fit, they must be thin. Fitness does not mean being slim; it stands for the unity and health of the body, mind, and soul. Women should make it their goal to achieve health and psychological benefits and not focus more on…
September 15, 2011 Ever wondered what it’d feel like to complete one of your local 5km race competitions? What about a sprint triathlon or a long distance swim event or even take a lesson in Stand Up Paddling? Fitness competitions can be incredibly motivating and fun to participate in. It’s also a fantastic way to…
September 19, 2011 Parents, teachers, and administrators expect schools to be safe havens of learning. Acts of violence and bullying can disrupt the learning process and have a negative effect on students, the school itself, and the broader community. While our schools remain relatively safe, many children may encounter some type of violence during the…
September 21, 2011 “By this time next month, I will have performed one unassisted muscle up!” In my last post, I wrote about moms and competitions, and why you should do them. Today, I’d like to spend some time on the actual goal writing portion and why you need to keep tabs on your accomplishments,…
September 26, 2011 It’s not always easy for a mom to get in a workout, but we’ve got a variety of fitness tools that will keep you active no matter where you are. Shoes If you were to grab a workout “on-the-go” style or were heading to the park with your kids, what fitness gadget…
November 11, 2011 When it comes to being mom to a baby or toddler, shedding post-pregnancy pounds and gaining muscle mass are just not high on the priority list. In the midst of feeding, changing, burping, bathing, soothing, and loving your new little bundle of joy – you barely have time to think about when…
November 8, 2011 Having a baby comes with many compromises. Moms trade in their years of peaceful slumber nights, fresh smelling clothes and romantic evenings for the benefit of nurturing your new bundle of joy. Good news moms: one area where you won’t have to barter any longer is regaining a sexy belly. A recent…
October 19, 2011 I come from a long line of community activists, so it’s no surprise I jumped at the chance to talk about shopping with purpose for Breast Cancer Awareness month. In addition to being hard-working and instilling within me strong work ethics, my parents, my grandparents and my great-grandparents taught me to not…
October 26, 2011 Throughout the history of our race, mankind has had a desire to be liked. While being likeable comes naturally to some, there are others who need a little work. If you would like to be someone people love to see walk into a room, try some of these tips: Smile Smiling immediately…
October 12, 2011 A great cross training shoe will allow you to do both: run and lift in the same shoe. That means that it should reflect some characteristics of a good running shoe (stability, support and light weight) and a good weight training shoe needs to have a flat sole with some tread or…
October 13, 2011 October signals the return of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a worldwide effort started in 1985 to raise awareness of a disease that affects more than 200,000 women on an annual basis. Though breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among American women, it is both wise and necessary to continue…
October 20, 2011 You’ve gotten into a fitness groove. You’re eating well and hitting the gym. Then suddenly you sabotage your fitness gains unintentionally, without even really knowing it. Take Jane for example. Jane has been steadily dropping inches of her waist, thighs, and arms. She has been increasing her resistance and difficulty level at…
October 24, 2011 Everyone wants a healthy smile, but did you know that some of the products you and your family use to maintain those pearly whites could contain harmful ingredients? Many people mistakenly believe that the personal care products we use daily (or more) have been tested for safety. The Environmental Working Group (EWG)…
October 28, 2011 There are hundreds of ways to squeeze a workout in while traveling. Weight training can be empowering for women, especially when all of a sudden, you are lifting things you used to ask your husband to help you with. But sometimes it’s hard to keep it up while traveling. It can be…
December 15, 2011 Time seems to accelerate in November and December each year. Thoughts turn to buying the perfect holiday gifts, planning parties and hosting out of town guests. The to-do list becomes endless and this is often where stress begins to escalate. If simplifying your routine and setting realistic goals seems impossible, try this…
November 22, 2011 Fall leaves have begun to change, that means cold and flu season is here. As the temperatures cool down many people will catch that first cold of the season. With the dreaded cold comes loss of productivity and even fun. Nobody enjoys being sick but few people actually understand the simple ways…
November 18, 2011 As a mother of two boys, I’ve spent the last 8 years running. Either chasing them, mothering them, or transporting them – and then attempting to squeeze my needs in between theirs. I’m also a working parent with time consuming healthy habits that include working out, writing and cooking. My passion has…
December 20, 2011 Every year it becomes a cliche to make a New Year’s Resolution in December and then end up breaking it two weeks into the new year. Most of our resolutions come as the result of a drunken statement right before the clock strikes the midnight hour on New Year’s Eve. While our…
November 28, 2011 Mothers who are athletes really do love getting cool new fitness products and gadgets for the holidays. For you husbands and kids, always wondering what to gifts to get, I’ve got an idea for all types of athlete moms. Everything from the Cyclist to Triathlete to Cross Fitter, there are cool new…
December 1, 2011 For both parents and children, going skiing for the first time can seem daunting. But the potential rewards are so great that most families who ski together can’t wait till their next trip to the mountain. Clothes The key to your ski clothes is to dress in layers. Weather can change quickly in…
December 13, 2011 It is not an easy task for moms to keep fit during the holiday season. It’s nearly impossible to find time to juggle work, kids, and a calendar full of family activities and events, much less try to sneak in some exercise before crashing each night. So, here are four tips that…
January 3, 2012 When I was a mother of a newborn, I remember thinking I could eat anything I want. That included iced mochas, pumpkin pie, cookies, whatever. I was always athletic, but had a healthy appetite for food. I thought working out gave me the okay to eat whatever I chose. Wrong. My daily…
January 4, 2012 Everyone starts out the New Year with goals and resolutions but most people can’t or don’t stick to them. We all have things in our life we’d like to change, improve and get better at. Make this the year you actually do the things you want to see changes in. For 2012,…
January 5, 2012 It is a brand new year and the perfect time for self-renewal and trying new things. Every year it seems, we make our New Year’s Resolutions with great hope and expectations and that is great but, they fizzle out by February, or perhaps the second week in January. This year let us all…
January 10, 2012 Whether you are successful at achieving them or not, chances are, every January 1, you start off with a new list of resolutions that you intend to keep this year. Some of us are better at setting and reaching these resolutions then others. So what’s the trick to making sure the goals…
January 24, 2012 The new year is the time to start making goals and many of us make a resolution surrounding fitness and getting healthy. Year after year we say, “I’m going to lose 20 pounds this year and start working out.” Then reality sets in and we start to question how we’re going to accomplish…
January 12, 2012 January can be a tough month for a lot of people. You may have overspent or over ate or over drank or just plain overdid it during the holiday season. Knowing you overdid it may lead to unhealthy thoughts about yourself. Now, it’s January and you’d like to clean up your act,…
January 17, 2012 Health resolutions often top the list of most people’s goals for the new year and working out is usually a high priority in January. Health clubs are jam-packed, fitness memberships are renewed the first couple weeks of the new year. Then, something happens. By the end of the month, your gym bag…
March 8, 2012 Setting goals gives you clear direction. Setting goals can enable you to make wiser decisions. Taking the time to set goals will help you spend your time and money on things that align with your values. Having clearly defined goals isn’t a magic pill, but it is a great motivator. Here are some steps for…
February 8, 2012 How often do you end your day feeling completely warn out, irritated, depressed … just plain done? Before you know it you can’t even remember the last time you had a little pep in your step or a song in your heart. I’ve been there. And being there is no fun. So…
February 1, 2012 It ‘s funny how we wait for a pivotal moment like the arrival of a new year to make changes in our lives instead of starting anew when the thought first arises. I didn’t make a big New Year’s resolution list this year, but I did set a few goals that I…
January 26, 2012 ADHD, also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a condition that causes children and teens to have difficulty controlling their behavior. Until recently, ADHD was a condition that was only diagnosed in children between the ages of 6 and 12 years of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics released new ADHD…